Thread switch circuit design and signal encoding for...

Details Thread switch circuit design and signal encoding for... Thread switch circuit design and signal encoding for...

2006-10-10

2006-10-10

Donaghue, Larry D. (Department: 2154)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: virtual mac

Task management or control

Process scheduling

C718S107000, C712S244000, C712S228000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07120915

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for implementing vertical multi-threading in a microprocessor without implementing additional signal wires in the processor has been developed. The method uses a pre-existing signal to serve as a multi-function signal such that the multi-function signal can be used for clock enable, clock disable, and scan enable functions. The single multi-function signal exhibits multiple functionalities as needed by a flip-flop to operate in a plurality of modes. The method allows for the use of a pre-existing signal wire to be used as a process thread switch signal that would otherwise have to be explicitly hard-wired in the absence of the multi-functioning signal. The method further includes allowing multiple-bit flip-flops to be placed at sequential stages in a pipeline in order to facilitate vertical multi-threading and, in effect, increase processor performance. The apparatus provides means for distinguishing between specific characteristics exhibited by the multi-function signal. The apparatus further provides means for generating intermediary signals within a control block and then generating output signals to a data storage block. The apparatus also involves generating timing signals to a plurality of flip-flops dependent upon the behavior of the multi-function signal.

REFERENCES:
patent: 6341347 (2002-01-01), Joy et al.
patent: 6351808 (2002-02-01), Joy et al.
patent: 6420903 (2002-07-01), Singh et al.
patent: 6433603 (2002-08-01), Singh et al.
patent: 6507862 (2003-01-01), Joy et al.
patent: WO 00/68780 (2000-11-01), None

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